Low cost modern technology and infrastructure have eliminated much of the need for artistic production middlemen like those that dominate the MPAA and RIAA, the organizations intimidating congress into passing the PIPA/SOPA legislation. Those companies have traditionally provided the capital and other resources for expensive recording, production and distribution facilities that can today be replaced by a few thousand dollars worth of computer equipment and The Internet.

While it may still be wise to take advantage of much of the expertise traditionally supplied by these companies, it's seldom worth the kind of exorbitant prices the industry has been paying.

We are witnessing the death of a business model. That's never pretty.

Like mortally wounded animals, those who have built empires on it will lash out with their dying gasps in any way they can to survive.

Who, with an ounce of compassion could begrudge them the effort?

But, just as if we were watching some poor animal, we protect ourselves while letting nature take its course.

Many who have known and loved these creatures of the industrial era quite naturally are moved to try to save them, while we who have lived with the new technology for many years know that their virtual extinction is inevitable.

Online copyright infringement is assuredly a major problem. PIPA/SOPA supporters however, have chosen to publicly focus on foreign perpetrators only in order to head off opposition were the public to know that no such distinction between domestic and foreign infringement exists in the bills.

We want to encourage and support creativity and innovation while minimizing copycats. Creativity and innovation comes from artists, writers, composers, programmers and other creators. PIPA/SOPA would make it much more difficult for these people to eliminate the now unneeded middlemen and bring their creations directly to their audiences.

Congress must not be intimidated by these fading business creatures.

Just stand back, let them exhaust themselves, and make way for the future.